Tin Tin Deo in F#

Walter "Gil" Fuller & Chano Pozo(1947)afro-cubanAfro-Swing
Do Re MiC D E
F♯
Instrument
GuitarUkuleleBassPiano
A
B
F♯m6
Em6
Dmaj7
C♯7♯9
F♯m6
D♯7♭9
G♯m7♭5
G7♭9
F♯m6
Em6
Dmaj7
C♯7♯9
F♯m9
B9
E9
D♯7♯9
C♯7♯9
F♯m6
C♯7♯9
F♯m6

Chord Diagrams — Tin Tin Deo in F# (Guitar)

Tin Tin Deo in F#

Gil Fuller and Chano Pozo's 1947 Afro-Cuban jazz classic — the chromatic descent Fm6–Ebm6–DbMaj7–C7 mirrors Yoruba rhythmic cycles, bridging bebop and santería. Dizzy Gillespie's big band version made it an Afro-Cuban jazz anthem.

Tin Tin Deo in F#

F# major pushes guitarists into full barre territory at fret 2 and beyond. No open chords exist naturally, but the key rewards advanced players with dark, powerful voicings. Common in metal and progressive rock where low tunings bring it closer to standard pitch. F# is a intermediate-advanced-level key on guitar because the open B string is the 4th scale degree and the open high E is the minor 7th, both usable as color tones. Expect to rely on barre chords throughout, which builds hand strength and unlocks the entire fretboard.

Voice Leading

The bass line moves through F# to E (descending whole step), E to D (descending whole step), D to C# (descending half step), C# to D# (ascending whole step), D# to G# (ascending perfect fourth), G# to G (descending half step), G to F# (descending half step), F# to B (ascending perfect fourth), B to E (ascending perfect fourth), E to D# (descending half step). A half-step bass movement creates a strong leading-tone pull that demands resolution. The predominantly stepwise bass motion creates smooth, connected voice leading. When the progression loops, the bass returns from D# to F# by minor third.

Scales for Improvisation

F# major pentatonic works because every note is either a chord tone or a safe passing tone — there are no avoid notes. For soloing, this means you can play freely without clashing. Over dominant seventh chords, F# Mixolydian adds the flat seventh for an authentic blues-rock edge.

afro-cuban4/4 · 12 bars · Form: AB

Chords: F♯m6, Em6, Dmaj7, C♯7♯9, D♯7♭9, G♯m7♭5, G7♭9, F♯m9, B9, E9, D♯7♯9.